Wimbledon officials have expressed public disappointment at the players’ protest group whilst privately seething over the ongoing dispute.
The tournament stated it was “surprised and disappointed” by the decision of the players’ collective, which is being led by former WTA chief Larry Scott as chief negotiator.
Behind closed doors, however, senior figures are reprotedly furious at the continued action.
The players’ group is pushing for 16 per cent of tournament revenue, up from the current projected 14.4 per cent.
Wimbledon chiefs are furious at players planning a media blackout
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GETTY
This demand comes despite Wimbledon announcing a record 20 per cent increase in prize money, taking the total pot to £64.2million.
World number ones Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka are among the leading players curtailing their media obligations as part of the ongoing industrial action.
Unlike at the French Open, where protests were confined to pre-tournament media day, the boycott at SW19 will extend into the opening week of competition.
Post-match press commitments will be affected, creating particular difficulties for broadcasters such as the BBC, which pays in excess of £60million annually for coverage rights.
The action persists despite Wimbledon’s historic prize money boost, which would see either singles champion pocket £3.6million.
Aryna Sabalenka is among the elite players leading the protests
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REUTERS
Tournament officials had believed constructive dialogue following Roland Garros would prevent further disruption, yet the protests have instead intensified.
When pressed on the specifics of their grievances, the protesting players appeared remarkably short on detail.
Sabalenka claimed prize money had “kind of, like, stayed the same” over the past decade, a statement at odds with the facts. In 2016, the total prize fund stood at £28.1million with the champion receiving £2million.
Several players seemed unaware that Wimbledon had proposed establishing a player council back in December.
Felix Auger-Aliassime suggested such a body was “something we are looking to do in the future,” adding: “You don’t set that up in a day.”
Daniil Medvedev offered a more candid assessment: “We’re not accountants, we can just process information that we’re getting from either Wimbledon or Larry.”
Cracks are beginning to show within the players’ coalition. Alex De Minaur, who participated in the French Open protest, has altered his position at Wimbledon.
“I thought that Wimbledon made a big step in the right direction and something that should be noted,” De Minaur said. “It felt like it was a way for me to acknowledge their big step, right?”
The All England Club maintains that measuring success purely by revenue percentage overlooks substantial investment in player facilities, with some income ring-fenced for development.
Former British number one Tim Henman, now an AELTC board member involved in negotiations, defended the tournament’s approach: “Wimbledon gives 90 per cent of its profit away – there’s no one getting rich at Wimbledon.”
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